"So how did you guys know to come here?" Mary asked as Rachel helped her out to the station wagon to go to the hospital.

"I saw the note taped to your locker. I was really pissed that you didn't tell me about it as soon as you came out to lunch."

"I hadn't seen it yet."

"Oh."

Mary gave Rachel a sideways glance. "I did want to tell you when I saw it after lunch, but you'd stormed off."

Rachel sighed. "Oh geez, I'm such a bad friend." She opened the door for Mary and helped her get into the station wagon.

"No, you're not. You were awesome today. So you saw the note and called Grandma?"

Rachel nodded. "I was mad, but I knew you needed help. You can't do everything yourself, Mary."

Mary lowered her eyes and nodded. "I know and I will tell you everything. I'll bore you to tears with everything."

Rachel grinned. "If I start snoring, just poke me." Mary smiled back.

"I expect to be told things too. Next time, you will call me before facing something like this again," Grandma told her as she got into the driver's seat. Mary nodded again. She was beginning to feel like a bobble head, but she deserved it. She hadn't been thinking when she'd rushed to Cy's house.

Kyle got in on the other side of the car.

Mary gave her grandmother a questioning look through the rear view mirror. Her grandmother shrugged.

Grandma started the car and turned to Rachel. "I'll be back shortly to help with the rest of the cleanup."

"You better. I might mix cleaning chemicals or something. There are many reasons my family has a housekeeper."

Mary grinned and waved to Rachel as they drove away. The grin slipped away when she turned back and stared at the back of Kyle's head. Why was he coming with them?

***

Mary sat in an uncomfortable silence beside Kyle in the emergency room. At the house, Grandma had looked at Kyle’s head and cleaned the cut made by the lamp. It wasn’t bad enough for stitches. Grandma had interrogated him thoroughly about how he felt. She'd looked closely at his pupils and decreed that he didn’t have a concussion. He didn't need to see a doctor, but he’d come with them to the hospital anyway.

He hadn’t said anything since they'd left his house. After helping Mary fill out the insurance forms, Grandma had left to go back and finish helping Rachel clean-up the Ashers' home. Mary didn’t know why Kyle stayed with her. It was like he didn’t want to let her out of his sight.

Well, if he weren't going anywhere, Mary took a deep breath. “Could you tell me why you were wearing Ricky's locket?”

Kyle sat hunched over with his hands clasped together. He shrugged his shoulders in response to her question. “Just a dumb idea I guess.”

“But how'd you end up with it in the first place?”

Kyle tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling. “I found it when I went down to the basement after I heard all this stuff crash down there. All these boxes had fallen over, and when I started putting them back up, the locket sort of fell on my shoulder. It scared the crap out of me. I thought it was a freaking snake. When I reached down to pick it up, I thought I would show it to Mom, but when I picked it up, I changed my mind. I decided to wear it, and I got meaner everyday that passed until I couldn't hold in the hatred anymore.”

Mary sat there in shock. She knew exactly which day Kyle was talking about. She’d lured Kyle into the basement. “Ricky decided for you to wear the locket. You didn't have a chance from the get go.” She wasn’t sure if her words were to reassure him or herself.

“Then I was possessed or something?”

Mary’s eyes slid to Kyle. “That's what I think. Or did you really want to go twelve rounds with me?”

“Oh God,” Kyle said, putting his head in his hands. “I can't believe I did all that. I mean I really wanted to hurt you.”

“Still, you’re not supposed to hit girls. Hitting on them is fine, but…”

Mary smiled. Even if it had been Kyle's body that had terrorized her for the past couple of days, it hadn't been Kyle, the person. She was beginning to like Kyle, the person, or at least, she didn't detest him.

“I should've been stronger,” Kyle murmured.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Mary assured him again.

Kyle shook his head. It would take him a little while to get over it, but she was positive he would. A nurse came over to them, pushing a wheelchair. “Miss Hellick, we're ready to see you now.”

“Thanks,” she said. With Kyle’s and the nurse's help, she got into the wheelchair. Her ankle had swollen to the size of a grapefruit, and the tiniest weight on it hurt like a thousand bee stings. As the nurse prepared to take her to an examination room, she turned back to Kyle. “Go home and help with the clean-up. Tell your parents you accidentally destroyed the microwave. They’ll believe you. Don’t worry about it. It’s all over.” Kyle nodded.

Mary sat silently in the front seat of her grandmother’s old station wagon on her way to school. The doctors had said she shouldn’t do a lot of walking for the next month. Yep, she had sprained her ankle and was using crutches in the meantime.

How Kyle had ended up with the locket still troubled Mary. She felt culpable, and she didn’t like that. She’d been trying to help, but maybe she’d made things worse.

“Grandma, I went to the Ashers’ house one time that you don’t know about.”

Grandma turned and looked at her inquisitively. Mary squirmed in her seat. “I went over when no one was home to get rid of Ricky, but I couldn’t get into the basement safely. Kyle showed up while I was trying and instead of just running, I riled up Ricky to cause a distraction and make Kyle go to the basement.”

“Why did you send Kyle to the basement?” Grandma asked.

“I wanted him in there so he wouldn’t see me leave that's when Ricky put the locket on Kyle.”

“Oh,” Grandma said. She took a deep breath through her nose and looked out the windshield in thought.

Grandma didn’t answer immediately. When she did, it wasn’t with denial. “It was wrong of you to knowingly send a person into a place with a malevolent spirit. You put him at risk. You couldn’t have known Ricky would give Kyle his anchor, but he could have hurt him. Mary, you have a very special gift that you must be responsible with. You know that there is more than just the living plane, and while others may not know or believe, you have to be conscientious of their safety.”

Mary nodded. She must have looked miserable because Grandma reached across and ran her hand through Mary’s hair. “I’m glad you told me about this and proud that you could discern that you may have done something bad, but in the end, you also did a great deal of good. You not only expelled Ricky but also released the spirit of his wife. You gave the Ashers a house that they can now truly make their home. Learn from this experience, and you’ll be able to do more good the next time you help someone.”

Mary gave her grandma a startled look and said nervously, “I don’t want to make this a regular thing. I want to live as close to a normal life as I can.”

“I know, but someone may come across your path like Cy did that you will want to help.” Mary nodded and gave her grandmother an easy smile. Once again, the fortuneteller had cemented her claim to coolest Grandmother ever.

Mary waved goodbye as her grandmother pulled away from the school. She was struggling with a side door into the school to avoid most of the early morning crowds when a nice person pushed the door open and held it for her.

“Thanks,” she said. She was too preoccupied with her crutches and her book bag to look up at the person.

“Mary, what happened to you?” Mary raised her head in surprise. Cy stood holding the door for her.

Mary stared at him in surprise at his interest. She briefly thought about telling him the truth. ‘Well, it happened while I was saving your house from a homicidal ghost. Sorry about the microwave,’ but she decided against it. It would be her little secret, along with Kyle’s and Rachel’s and Grandma’s. Okay, maybe it wasn’t such a little secret, but none of them would tell what happened. It was too weird, and Cy had already proven that he couldn’t handle weird.

Mary wished that she didn’t have to lie to Cy, but this would have to be like her secret identity. She’d be regular old Scary Mary at school, and Super Scary Mary, at other times, able to vanquish ghosts with common household appliances, but she was not going to run around in a cape and change clothes in phone booths. Some things were just silly. Rachel would probably do it.

Seeing that Cy was still waiting for an answer, she ruefully grinned and said, “I tripped down the stairs yesterday. I know it's really stupid. Would you mind not telling anyone? I’d rather they think it was due to a motorcycle accident or something.”

Cy smiled. “Your secret’s safe with me. Do you need help with your books?”

Mary blinked for a moment. She couldn’t believe Cy was being so nice to her. What had changed? “Aren’t you still mad at me or something?”

Cy looked down for a second. He squared his shoulders and looked back up at Mary. “I know that I’ve been a jerk, and I hate being a jerk. Let’s just let bygones be bygones and just be okay. Okay?”

Mary didn’t know how to answer. She heard what he didn’t say. He didn’t say let’s be friends again. It made her feel empty. She had to swallow painfully before she could answer. “Okay.”

“Okay,” Cy repeated with a grin. He took Mary’s backpack and walked with her to her locker. Mary was quiet on the trip. She feared that the only reason he was walking with her was because of the crutches. As soon as they were gone, he’d be gone. He was just being nice, but he didn’t have to help her. Did this mean there was hope? Could they become friends again eventually? Mary stole a look at Cy. He was looking down the hall. He didn’t seem tense or nervous to be with her. He looked relaxed and maybe even a little happy if the upward turns at the corners of his mouth were any indication.

Cy glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He caught her looking. He turned and gave her a full grin. Mary quickly tilted her head down. How did he always catch her looking? She knew that she was probably blushing a little, but she was smiling too.

“Mary, did something happen between you and Kyle since you came by my house that second time?”

Mary quickly glanced at Cy. “Why?” she asked. Kyle should’ve returned to normal now that Ricky’s influence had been removed.

“He’s been acting weird.”

“How?”

“Like nicer and stuff. It’s really weird.”

Mary smiled to herself. “I wouldn’t worry about him. I’m sure he’ll grow out of it.” Cy grinned and escorted her to her first period class. He gave Mary her books and left with a wave.

Mary sat in contentment. Her life was going really well. She’d patched things up with Cy, she’d taken care of a nasty ghost, and she wouldn’t have to participate in gym for the next three weeks. Yes, life was looking good.

The intercom system clicked on. “Mary Hellick, please report to the guidance office.” Mary scowled. Scratch that. Life had been looking good.

“Mary, it hasn’t been two full weeks of school, yet you’ve already run afoul.”

Mary leaned her crutches against the wall and hopped over to the chair. She shot Mr. Landa a frown. If only he knew what could happen in two weeks.

“Eastern Snyder frowns heavily on skipping classes,” he continued.

“I’m sorry. I would’ve gone to class if I hadn’t been in the ER,” she said.

Mr. Landa’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her bandaged ankle. “Yes, and how exactly did you sprain it?”

Unicorn Bait will have its own blog once I get the design right and have chapters ready to post. I hope to start in a month, but Nanowrimo is upon me and I want to complete that.

Sorry for being late today, I didn't actually get home from vacation until late Wednesday night, then I went to work Thursday, and it just sort of hit me, I have to update Scary Mary! Anyhoo, I'm glad you enjoyed it, Parchment Quill. Thank you for all your comments!

Thank you so much! I posted on the Shameless Promotion Thread. Here's a link to my post. I'm glad you liked the story. A sequel is in the works, but it will be a long time coming. I am currently posting chapters to Unicorn Bait.

at first, i actually thought this was a real book. but then, i realized it was an incredibly stupid tale. I dont know why these, like, parchment quill and azzitizz ppl actually like it.BUT, props you you, windvein, i dont have the tolerence to write a story like this. Oh, by the way, you should change mary's makeup, bc it actually does make her superwierd if shes wearing like, black lipstick. uh, gross!!

it was really fun to read. :) A little bit predictable, but still pushing me to continue reading. Some paragraph made me smile, some let me get some goose skin. And finally you got me with the twist of the second, freed ghost from the locket.

Quite a solid work, I'd say. I just wouldn't have »switched« Cy as fast back as you did. More like Kyle having him somehow irritated telling him to watch out for her (because he'd heard she was injured). Startled about his brother's sudden change of mind he would've obeyed. Then giving off a (slight) hint of him starting to actually talk to her again, or so... But that's just my ¢5 ;) Maybe I just don't like sudden switches of a character's personality. Like I'd have liked more (explicit) character development of Anakin in Star Wars episode 3... :)

OMG this was the best story. i did not want it to end. im sittin at the end of my seat waitin for sequel. this was pure genious--a more realistic buffy the vampire slayer....whoo-hoo Mary the ghost freer. U rock and so did ur story

Not the greatest story ever but I have to admit that it kept me hooked (I wasn't planning on reading the whole thing in one go but couldn't stop :)) You definately have potential and judging by your work and style of writing you must be your late teens, so best of luck for the future! I hope that you make a career out of this. Even though the storyline was sort of raw and predictable, I loved your wit and well etched characters. This is the first time I've read an online book (I was just browsing and thought I'll give it a go) and I'm glad it was yours. Reading the comments were a treat in itself, Its an added bonus to see how others are reacting to it. Keep on writing! :) I'll try to catch up with more of your work whenever I get the time.

Well, it seems I'm a somewhat backwards person, as I came here after reading Unicorn Bait. But the up side is that it convinced me to read Scary Mary, which I shied away from at first, since I'm not a fan of the occult. Your humor and wit in Unicorn Bait induced me to read a story I would not normally have looked at, and I was not disappointed. It's kept me well entertained while I've been cooped up inside in the days following Hurricane Ike's assault.

Thank you for your wonderful stories and congratulations on becoming one of my new favorite authors. *smiles* Here's hoping Scary Mary's sequel keeps me smiling and laughing as much as its predecessors.

I absolutely LOVED your story! I had been browsing for another book actually when I started reading this. I've been here for hours reading it and I don't regret it! It was a great book and I plan on telling my friends about it. I can't wait to read Unicorn Bait. Please keep on writing, and the best of luck!

let me tell you a story, one day i was so bored i started surfing for free online stories, and *pop!* i stumbled into scary mary. XD

yep, i definitely loved this, quite predictable at times and not much character elaborations but good job! next time, work on twists and character personalities. you did a good job with rachel and grandma and vicky, but not so much with cy and mary. they were the main characters! and they keep switching personalities. it's kinda confusing.

i was hoping for some kyle/mary endings too! forget cy. he didn't even show up during the best chapters. lol. i think kyle and mary would be great. XD

and yeah, the comedy of it all got me hooked. can't pass a chapter without laughing at the least.

pharmac, thanks for all your comments. Curious about your comments about characters not evolving and staying in character especially concerning Mary. Kyle/Mary will have to wait, but something is brewing in the sequel.

Cheekylil, glad you liked the part about the locket. I was pretty proud of myself when it came to me. The original draft didn't have that twist.

S.A Hunter, it's just that, they change from time to time in such a haste and without a backup explanation. um, like cy, the final turn was so mysterious of him, the transition from jerk to cool was so sudden that it's hard to dawn on the reader. um, let's just say, cy didn't win our hearts back. that's all. and with mary, i love that there's a 'softer' her inside, but, it's like she's another person in some chapters... well, that's my opinion anyway, and my opinions aren't always right. :)

I just hope Marry should end up with something happier. Cy was too cold for her, he didn't even know what happen. Also, the whole school should at least knows her ability instead of picking or whispering on her. Anyway, it is not a bad ending.

pharmac, thanks for coming back to clarify. Cy was a tough character to write. I think you might be right about the ending. I think part of it too is that we don't see why Cy gradually have a change of heart so his encounter with Mary at the end does seem abrupt. I'll have to think on how to fix it if I can.

*Born to read* Glad you enjoyed it. I couldn't do a happily ever after with Mary because I want to give her more stories and having her ride off into the sunset would prevent that and a happily ever after just didn't seem right to me, but Mary does deserve to be happy.

beautifulangel_16, thank you for your lovely comments. They brought a big smile to my face. There are thousands of good stories to read. May I recommend Tamora Pierce, Garth Nix, or Diana Wynne Jones just to name a few.

Browsing for a good book to read and am really glad to pick yours. Enjoyed it all. Also enjoyed reading the comments after each chapter. I was actually picturing the scenes in my mind. One of hobbies is READING and your SCARY MARY is trully a great one to see.THANK YOU!!

I found your sequel first on www.webfictionguide.com and wanted to readit but rationalized that I should have the backstory first, I really enjoyed Scary Mary and am headed to read Stalking Shadows now. I have also read Unicorn Bait and enjoyed it as well, so Thank You very much for the great reads!!

I'm not sa critic, but was bored at the office and did an online search for free reading material, started reading this. I've read about 2 chapters in between calls starting late last week. I got hooked and finished it off. This is a great in for a series of short stories. You have such a great writing style, detailed enough that you can imagine the characters and story but keep the story moving along at a great speed. A strong character, Mary, you could write her into a bunch of adventures! Keep up the good work!

Found this through onlinenovels. I'm not really into witches and ghosts. (Too much of that seems to be going around these days.) I had to take a chance, though, when I read "humor" in the summary. The quips and quick pace kept me reading.I think my favorite part of the whole story was the paragraph about Mary's secret identity - using small appliances and refusing to go around wearing a cape. Great stuff.I, too, think the change in Cy at the end is confusing.At first Chowder's part in the story didn't make sense to me. Now I think the invisible dog was a necessity for the plot. His 'presence' (heh heh) brought a cohesiveness I didn't expect.Thanks!Rilla

Thank you so much for taking a chance on Scary Mary. :-) I've heard from a few others recently that the change of heart with Cy doesn't ring true for them either. I may have painted things a little too rosy. Things certainly aren't as cheery as they appear which becomes apparent in the sequel.

I recently read this and LOVEDD ITT its stalking shadows a sequel or another book you made ? I want a sequel , and does stalking shadows start how this ended? I hope so but if stalking shadows isn't a sequel please make one and please respond !!